Martinsburg man recalls days of service in WWII

July 8, 2013

MARTINSBURG - It is a story that he does not like to tell; it is a story that has become part of World War II history.

Kenneth Paul Murphy, known to his close friends and family as "Mike," was born and raised in Martinsburg on a 13-acre farm with his five sisters and three brothers and recalls his days working on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad alongside his father after graduation.

"I didn't really like it much," Murphy, who recently turned 88, said. "That's when I went into the Army."

Article Photos

Submitted photosNearing 70 years since his entry into the United States Army, Kenneth Murphy of Martinsburg searches his memory for the tales and events that led him through World War II.

"I don't really tell my stories," Murphy said about his experiences during the war.

What he does share is a memorable battle the Battle of Normandy in 1944. Murphy said for about five months he trekked across France until he reached Germany with his infantry.

"When I first started out across France, Eisenhower was in charge, and then later General Patton took over and he went with us through France," Murphy said.

During that time the officers Murphy was traveling with were captured. This forced the eight remaining soldiers to organize to go into Belgium, where they were stuck in the snow for several days.

"When we were rescued, they sent me to a hospital in English for frostbite," Murphy said.

For his wounds in combat, Murphy received a Purple Heart.

He served as a private, first class in the 357th Combat Infantry. In addition to serving in the Battle of Normandy, Murphy also served in northern France and Rhineland. He received a Good Conduct Medal, European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon, American Theater Ribbon and a World War II Victory Ribbon.

On Aug. 9, 1946, Murphy received an honorable discharge from the Army, although he said that was prior to being hospitalized for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder something he said not many doctors knew what it was or how to treat it at that time.

"I remember people being locked up in the hospital, and I didn't want anything to do with that," Murphy said.

Eventually released, Murphy went to work for the Letter Kenny Army Department, before finding full-time employment at Mack Truck in Hagerstown, from where he retired.

"I am just so proud of him," Murphy's sister Catherine Pent said. "Of the nine of us, him and I are the only ones left, and I am just so proud."

Murphy is a father of three as well as grandfather and great-grandfather.

He now lives in Alma, Georgia, where he spends most of his time golfing or being active in his local church, First Church of the Nazarene.

"He attends church every evening for prayer groups to pray for the world and people that need it, because of health or accidents, but most of all, he loves the Lord and loves to help people in need," Pent said.